My rabbi often says that our lack of respect for ourselves leads us into behaviors that are less than admirable. I can imagine that most of us here do respect ourselves. It is the challenge of the impulse which clouds our mind from reason and a healthy self conception. Still, we can grow. Probably alot. And if we grow in our sense of dignity and self worth, in our temperament and character traits, perhaps the impulse will not be as clouding and dominating as before. Perhaps we'll have an inner, subconscious reserve of strength to rely on. We don't have anything to lose by refining ourselves and gaining self worth. Afterall, the same G-d who calls us to return also calls us to be joyful. If we are called to be joyful, in spite of our past, surely we also have a green light to self worth and dignity.
